Apparatus and method for generating and using multi-direction DC and AC electrical currents

ABSTRACT

Multi-directional currents are generated in a medium by cyclically reversing the direction of a conventional current applied to at least one of at least two electrodes so that an electromotive force (EMF) pulse travels from side of the electrode to the other, changing the direction of current in the medium. The multi-directional currents may be used to accelerate electrolytic processes such as generation of hydrogen by water electrolysis, to sterilize water for drinking, to supply charging current to a battery or capacitor, including a capacitive thrust module, in a way that extends the life and/or improves the performance of the battery or capacitor, to increase the range of an electromagnetic projectile launcher, and to increase the light output of a cold cathode light tube, to name just a few of the potential applications for the multi-directional currents.

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/411,307, filed Apr. 11, 2003.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to multi-directional, reciprocating electricalcurrents. The invention also relates to an apparatus and method forgenerating the multi-directional currents, and to applications of thegenerating apparatus and method.

The multi-directional currents of the invention are generated in acurrent carrying medium by cyclically reversing the direction of aconventional current applied to at least one of a plurality ofelectrodes, so that an electromotive force (EMF) pulse travels from oneside of the at least one electrode to the other, changing the directionof current flowing through the medium between two or more electrodes.

The multi-directional electric currents have the effect of acceleratingprocesses that rely on interaction between a current and the medium thatcarries the current, and of eliminating asymmetries that can lead toscaling or premature wear in batteries and other electrolytic systems.The medium that carries the multi-dimensional currents may be anelectrolyte, gas, gel, semiconductor, or any other medium capable ofcarrying current between two electrodes, and having at least twodimensions so as to enable variation in the current direction.

By way of example and not limitation, the multi-directional electricalcurrents of the invention may be used to (i) increase the efficiency ofhydrogen generation by electrolysis of water (while at the same timepreventing scaling and purifying the water), (ii) extend the life ofbatteries such as nickel-metal hydride cells, and of capacitors, bysymmetrically charging and discharging the batteries or capacitors,(iii) provide a power source for electromagnetic projectile weapons andsimilar devices, and (iv) increase the efficiency of plasma generationor light conversion in cold cathode systems.

Other potential applications of the multi-directional electric currentsof the invention, and of the apparatus and method for generating thecurrents, include computers, communications, drug and chemicaldevelopment, medical treatment of cancers, anti-gravity experiments,transportation, energy, water treatment, genetic research in humans,plants, and animals, and aeronautical propulsion systems, as well asfuel cell and PEM electrolysis systems utilizing proton exchangemembranes and catalyst materials.

2. Description of Related Art

A. Basic Principle of Invention

The basic principle underlying the multi-directional currents of theinvention may be understood from FIGS. 1A-1B. FIG. 1A shows thesituation when electrode currents i_(E1) and i_(E2) in electrodes E1 andE2 are initially reversed, creating EMF or voltage pulses, edges, waves,or spikes that travel from left to right in the top electrode E1 andfrom right to left in the bottom electrode E2. The current i_(S) betweenthe electrodes flows from the top electrode E1 to E2, but changesdirection as the current i_(S) follows the respective EMF pulses orvoltage spikes as they propagate from left to right through electrode E1and from right to left through electrode E2. Eventually, as shown inFIG. 1B, the current flows from top right to bottom left, at which pointthe currents in the respective electrodes are again reversed to causeEMF or voltage pulses, waves, edges, or spikes to propagate in theopposite direction. As a result, the current i_(S) can be caused toreciprocate or continuously change direction in an oscillating orcyclical manner within the current-carrying medium between theelectrodes. If i_(E1) and i_(E2) are DC currents, the electrodes can bekept at a constant potential so that the net current direction remainsconstant even though the instantaneous current direction changescontinuously or periodically, enabling the direction-changing currenti_(S) to be used in electrolytic processes that require direct current.Alternatively, i_(E1,) and i_(E2) may be alternating currents, pulsed DCcurrents, or polarity-reversing DC currents. In addition, a similar butsmaller variation in the direction of current will occur if thedirection-reversing conventional current is applied to just one of theelectrodes and the second electrode has a relatively small area.

The invention may thus be characterized as a method and apparatus ofgenerating multi-directional currents in a medium by reversing thedirection of electron flow in at least one of a pair of electrodes. Ifthe voltages applied to the electrodes are DC voltages, then themulti-directional currents have characteristics of DC currents, and ifthe voltages applied to the electrodes are two or three phase ACvoltages, then the multi-directional currents have characteristics of ACcurrents. However, unlike conventional DC and AC currents, the currentsgenerated by the method and apparatus of the invention move or rotate.If the electrodes are one-dimensional wires, then the currents rotate intwo-directions. If the electrodes themselves move, or extend over two orthree-dimensions, for example a plane or a curved plane, then thecurrents will move in three-dimensions.

B. Conventional Electric Currents

There are two types of conventional electrical currents andcorresponding voltages, neither of which changes direction in the mannerof the present invention. The first, direct current (DC), was alreadywell known when Benjamin Franklin performed his famous kite experimentin 1752 to prove that lighting was a form of electricity, while thesecond, alternating current, came into widespread use after Nikola Teslainvented the first alternating current motor in 1888 (U.S. Pat. No.5,55,190).

Both direct and alternating voltages can be applied to electrodes forthe purpose of causing a current to flow through a medium between theelectrodes. However, the voltages are conventionally applied across theelectrodes so that the resulting inter-electrode current follows afixed, albeit reversible, path between the electrodes, irrespective ofthe type of medium or geometry of the electrodes. This is clearly thecase in systems having only a single terminal for each electrode, and insystems having multiple terminals but no switching circuit.

It is of course possible to periodically reverse the polarity ofcurrents applied to the electrodes in such a system, and a number ofsystems have been proposed for doing so, including the systems disclosedin the patents discussed below. However, none of the previously proposedsystems involves changing the direction of current in a single one, orboth, of the electrodes so as to vary the direction of current flowingbetween the electrodes by other than 180°.

The invention in its broadest form consists of the above-describedmulti-directional currents, and apparatus and methods for generating thecurrents. However, an important aspect of the invention is the numerousapplications in which the unique properties of the multi-directionalcurrents may be exploited. These applications include, but are notlimited to, the following:

C. Hydrogen Generation By Electrolysis of Water

One of the applications of the invention is electrolysis of water togenerate hydrogen, or hydrogen and oxygen, for use in fuel cells andother essentially pollution-free hydrogen-driven power sources. Thisapplication is of particular importance because it offers a solution tothe problem of generating, storing, and transporting the hydrogen.

Hydrogen fuel cells, in particular, have the potential to provide acompletely non-polluting power source of electricity, not only forvehicles but also for electricity generation in general, but have beenlimited by lack of a safe distribution system for the hydrogen, and bythe costs of generating the hydrogen in the first place. While it haslong been known that hydrogen may be generated by applying a directcurrent to water, the rate of hydrogen generation is too low to providea practical hydrogen source for mass distribution. As a result, hydrogenfor mass consumption is currently produced from fossil fuels atrelatively high energy costs relative to the energy value of thehydrogen produced. However, if sufficient hydrogen could be produced bywater electrolysis to provide an on-board hydrogen generator for avehicle or electric power plant, so as to generate just enough hydrogento supply the fuel cells, then the need for a distribution system andhydrogen storage would be eliminated.

Power or propulsion systems that use water electrolysis in combinationwith hydrogen fuel cells to generate the hydrogen necessary to power thefuel cells are known as regenerative electrochemical cell or systems, anexample of which is disclosed in U.S. Published Patent Application No.2002/0051898. Despite their theoretical promise, however, similarsystems have yet to offer a practical alternative to fossil fuels. It isbelieved that a regenerative system can only attain widespreadacceptance if the efficiency of hydrogen production is increased. Themulti-directional currents of the invention offer the potential forproviding such an increase in water electrolysis efficiency.

The way that the invention increases water electrolysis efficiency is byusing the applied electric current to not only pull the water moleculesapart at the cathode, as in a conventional electrolysis system, but toadd a shearing force that helps break apart the ionic bonds between theoxygen and hydrogen atoms. The effect is similar to separating a pair ofmagnets by sliding them perpendicularly rather than pulling them apart.In conventional electrolysis, the water molecules tend to align with thepositive and negative electrodes in the manner illustrated in FIG. 2, sothat the ionic bonds are at a constant angle of 54.74° relative to thedirection of current flow. This is not the optimal angle for breakingthe ionic bonds and disassociating the hydrogen atoms from the oxygenatoms. In the set-up illustrated in FIG. 3, on the other hand, themolecules are subject to a continuously changing current direction,which applies both tensile and shearing forces to the molecules,substantially increasing the rate of disassociation. In addition, theelectrodes can be arranged in coils to add magnetic forces that furtherexpedite disassociation.

It will be noted that the set-up illustrated in FIG. 2 does not reversethe polarities of the electrodes, which would only slow the electrolysisprocess due to energy lost in flipping the water molecules. Themulti-directional currents are not alternating currents, but rather inthis embodiment are direct currents. Systems that reverse the polaritiesof electrodes have previously been used in electrolysis, but thecurrents are uni-directional and the reversals are carried out atrelatively long intervals so that the effect is that of a conventionalDC current. The purpose of the reversals is to reduce scaling byswitching between anodic and cathodic reactions at the respectiveelectrodes. This can also be accomplished with the present invention, byreversing the polarities of the electrodes in addition to reversingcurrent directions in the individual electrodes. Examples ofelectrolysis apparatus (though not necessarily a hydrogen generatingwater electrolysis apparatus) that reverse DC potential between twoelectrodes are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,258,250, 6,174,419, and1,402,986, and in U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2002/0074237.

Periodic reversal of the polarities of electrodes has also been used inelectrolytic water purification systems. The periodically reversedcurrents can be used to directly destroy bacteria as in U.S. Pat. No.3,865,710, or to expedite the release of electrolytic reactionby-products such as metal ions, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.6,241,861; 5,062,940; 4,908,109 (entitled “Electrolytic PurificationSystem Utilizing Rapid Reverse Current Plating Electrodes”); U.S. Pat.Nos. 4,734,176; 4,525,253; and 3,654,119.

These systems are not to be confused with the system of the invention,which changes the direction of currents but does not necessarily changetheir polarity. However, the effects of the direction-reversingcurrents, and/or released ions, on bacteria and other micro-organismscan be utilized and even increased by the present invention, i.e., thecurrents of the present invention can be used not only for electrolysisof water to generate hydrogen, but also to purify the water. Unlike thecurrents disclosed in the water purification references, which cannot beused for hydrogen generation, the present invention combines generationof hydrogen with water purification so that, for example, a power plantthat included hydrogen generation cells supplied with river water wouldalso have the effect of cleaning the river water, serving as a sourcenot only of electricity but also of potable water.

D. Charging of Nickel-Metal Hydride Foam Batteries

Although especially useful for water electrolysis, the present inventionis not limited to a particular electrolyte, electrolytic process, orelectrolytic cell configuration. In another application of theinvention, the multi-direction currents of the invention are applied tothe electrodes of a battery containing an electrolyte. This applicationof the invention takes advantage of the reversing currents in theelectrodes to reduce the wear and tear of friction and heat caused inconventional batteries by current moving from one post down the lengthof the electrode.

In the case of batteries containing nickel metal hydride, as disclosedin U.S. Pat. No. 6,413,670, additional advantages of using the methodand apparatus of the invention to charge the battery an increase in thehydrogen generated during the charging process, which may be captured byutilizing the principles of the gas capture system described incopending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/______, filed on - - - bythe present inventor. Furthermore, the use of multi-directional currentsmay improve the ability of the foam to absorb hydrogen through thehydride substrate in a manner analogous to shaking of a screen toexpedite passage of granular materials.

E. Capacitors

The apparatus and method of the invention can also be applied tocapacitors and capacitive systems, which have similar fundamentalproblems of fast charging heat losses and discharge heat wear.

An example of capacitive systems to which the principles of theinvention may be applied are the thrust generating systems disclosed inU.S. Pat. Nos. 6,317,310, 3,022,430, and 2,949,550, which use theelectrostatic force between asymmetric capacitor plates to generate athrust force. The EMF voltage spikes utilized by the present inventionamplify the high voltage as the current changes direction to improvethrust performance. In addition, the magnetic field switchingmulti-directional high voltage currents may be computer controlled onthe surface of the capacitor module's thrust plates or thrust tubes tochange the direction and speed of the module, and the polarity of thecurrents may be controlled to change the direction of thrust. Thrust,pitch, roll, and yaw can be controlled by multiple such capacitormodules.

F. Cold Cathode Light and Plasma Generators

The principles of the invention are not limited to electrolytematerials, but may be applied to any medium capable of carrying chargesbetween a pair of electrodes, including not only electrolytes, but alsogases, gels, and semi-conductors. For example, when applied to a coldcathode light, reversing the current direction in the electrodes tochange the direction of the excitation current between the electrodeswill cause the ionized gas to produce more electrons, and therebyproduce a brighter glow.

Similarly, in systems that generate plasma by passing a gas betweenelectrodes, the multi-direction currents of the invention will increasethe rate of plasma production relative to direct current systems, andthose that use a single electrode polarity reversing switch applied to asingle terminal on each of the electrodes of the plasma generator, asdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,222,321.

G. Electro-Magnetic Devices

According to Lenz's law, a changing electrical current generates amagnetic flux having a magnitude that is proportional to the rate ofchange of the current. In the present invention, which utilizesreversing direct currents in the electrodes, the energy resulting fromthe above-described EMF or voltage pulses, edges, waves, or spikes canalso be utilized to generate a corresponding magnetic field, which inturn can be used to drive a projectile in an electro-magnetic gun, or apiston.

In addition, such systems can be made regenerative by capturing hydrogengenerated during charging and using the hydrogen to power a fuel cell,which in turn charges a battery for accumulating energy to be suppliedto the electrode coils when the weapon is fired or the piston is to beoperated.

H. Computing Devices

By adding two inputs and outputs to the conventional electrolytic cell,the apparatus of the invention may also be used in logic circuits andcomputing devices. U.S. Pat. No. 3,172,083 discloses an electrolyticmemory utilizing three electrodes, but each electrode only has a singleinput, and thus the resulting storage cell has no advantage overconventional silicon memory devices.

I. Medical Devices

The multi-directional currents of the invention may also be applied to avariety of medical devices, including x-ray machines and various devicesfor treating tissues by electrical currents and/or magnetic fields.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is accordingly a first objective of the invention to provide anapparatus and method that utilizes electricity in a more efficientmanner in order to conserve energy resources and protect theenvironment.

It is a second objective of the invention to provide an improvedelectrical current generating apparatus and method which accelerateelectrolytic and cathodic processes, including generation of hydrogen.

It is a third objective of the invention to provide an improvedelectrical current generating apparatus and method capable of moreefficiently sterilizing water.

It is a fourth objective of the invention to provide an improvedelectrical current generating apparatus and method capable of moreefficiently charging a battery.

It is a fifth objective of the invention to provide an improvedelectromagnetic device capable of utilizing the counter-EMF generatingupon reversal of an electric current.

It is a sixth objective of the invention to provide a multi-dimensionalelectrical current having the property of changing direction as it flowsfrom one electrode to the other, with or without changes in polarity.

It is a seventh objective of the invention to provide a system andmethod for generating a direct current that changes current directionwith at least two ground switching paths and two positive connections ina parallel switching relationship back and forth, in phase or out ofphase.

It is an eighth objective of the invention to provide a direct currentthat changes directions while the polarity of the electrodes changesback and forth.

It is a ninth objective of the invention to provide an alternatingcurrent with a sine wave in a parallel relationship with earth ground orneutral which switches from one end to the other to control thedirection of current from the ground or neutral.

These objectives are achieved, in accordance with the principles of apreferred embodiment of the invention, by providing an apparatus havingat least two spaced electrodes, a current carrying medium between theelectrodes, and at least two terminals at each end of each of theelectrodes, for a total of at least four terminals, to which adirection-reversing direct or alternating current is applied.

The electrodes may have a variety of shapes, including wires, coils,planar, or curved structures. The direction reversal may be effected byan electromechanical switching network, solid state, photonic ormechanical switches, and so forth, including the current reversingcircuitry disclosed in the above-cited patents. In addition, thecurrents applied to the electrodes may include alternating as well asdirect currents, the present invention being distinguished in that thecurrent reversing circuitry is applied to opposite ends of at least one,and preferably each, of the two electrodes, so that reversal of thecurrents occurs within the electrodes, as opposed to within the currentcarrying medium between the electrodes (although, as described below,the direction of the multidirectional current within the currentcarrying medium may also be reversed by switching the polarity of theelectrodes in addition to reversal of the current within theelectrodes).

In the case of an electrolytic process, the multidirectional currentshave the effect of substantially increasing the efficiency by whichbonds in the electrolyte are broken, thereby providing an enhancedelectrolysis method for producing hydrogen, oxygen, and other gases, andat the same can be arranged to purify the remaining electrolyte.

When the electrodes are in the form of coils, then a magnetic field isgenerated that may further accelerate certain electrolytic processessuch as the generation of hydrogen, with or without using themulti-directional currents. While the advantages of multi-directionalcurrents apply to coil-shaped electrodes, advantages may also beobtained by operating electrolytic cells and other devices withcoil-shaped electrodes in DC, pulsed DC, reversing polarity, and ACmodes, in addition to various multi-directional current modes.

The new types of currents and corresponding voltages can be used topower a new generation of batteries, capacitors, motors, light bulbs,and plasma generators, as well as for hydrogen and oxygen generation,and further may be applied to applications ranging from electroplatingof metals and plastics to transportation, to name just a few of thepotential applications. In the field of medicine, the currents can beused in x-ray machines, to destroy cancer cells by placing a patientinside a coil to which the currents are supplied at frequencies known tokill cancer cells without affecting non-cancerous tissue, and in otherdevices that involve application of electrical currents and/or magneticfields to tissues. DNA electrophoresis can be performed by using ADCinstead of DC by running DNA gel samples from both ends of the gel plateinstead of one. 46% of the planet's population doesn't have electricityor fresh drinking water due to the cost of infrastructure required tosupply power lines and water connections. The new clean and cheapvoltages (which may be referred to as SULLY VOLTAGES™ after theInventor, John Sullivan) will revolutionize third world countries bysupplying cheap power and fresh drinking water without petroleum basedfuel oil.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B are schematic diagrams illustrating the manner in whicha multidirectional current is generated according to the principles ofthe invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a conventional electrolysis cell.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the operation of an electrolysiscell constructed in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the construction of a waterelectrolysis system that includes an electrolysis cell of the typeillustrated in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 3.

FIG. 5 is a timing diagram for the electrolysis system of FIG. 4.

FIGS. 6-9 are schematic diagrams showing variations of the electrolysiscell illustrated in FIG. 4.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a lighting element constructed inaccordance with the principles of the invention.

FIGS. 11-13 show further variations of the electrolysis cell illustratedin FIG. 4.

FIG. 14 is a timing diagram for the polarity-reversing electrolysis cellillustrated in FIG. 13.

FIGS. 15-17 are schematic diagrams of various applications of theprinciples of the invention to the charging of batteries.

FIG. 18 is a timing diagram for the battery charge/discharge circuit ofFIG. 17.

FIGS. 19 and 20 are schematic diagrams of various applications of theprinciples of the invention to electromagnetic devices.

FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram of a cold cathode light system thatutilizes the principles of the invention.

FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram of a plasma generator that utilizes theprinciples of the invention.

FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram illustrating application of the inventionto a three electrode device.

FIG. 24, which appears with FIG. 15, and FIG. 25 are schematic diagramsof jelly roll versions of the electrolysis cells and/or batteries of thepreferred embodiments.

FIG. 26 is a schematic diagram of a multiple electrode electrolysiscell.

FIG. 27 is an alternative timing diagram for the switching circuitillustrated in FIG. 4.

FIG. 28 shows a variation of the arrangement schematically illustratedin FIGS. 1A and 1B, with additional switches and center taps forcontrolling the electromagnetic pulses in each electrode.

FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view of two capacitors connected in seriesaccording to the principles of the invention.

FIG. 30 is a schematic diagram of two capacitors connected in parallelaccording to the principles of the invention.

FIG. 31 is a schematic diagram of a jelly roll capacitor configuration.

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of a capacitive thrust module constructedin accordance with the principles of the invention.

FIG. 33 is a plan view of the thrust module of FIG. 33, illustrating themanner in which currents are controlled on the surface of one of thecapacitor plates.

FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view of a capacitive thrust module with anEMF capture coil.

FIG. 35 is a schematic diagram of an RLC circuit that charges whencurrent flow is changed according to the principles of the invention.

FIG. 36 is a schematic diagram of a transmitter circuit with a tunedcapacitor in which the current change amplifies the signal on both theplus and minus side of the circuit according to the principles of theinvention.

FIG. 37 is a schematic diagram of a capacitor circuit in which thecapacitance is controlled by currents in the electrolyte.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 4 illustrates an apparatus 1 which utilizes the principles of theinvention to generate hydrogen and oxygen according to a first preferredembodiment of the invention. The apparatus 1 includes a tank 2, watersupply 3, two electrical conductors 4,5 which form electrodescorresponding to electrodes E1 and E2 of FIGS. 1A and 1B for anelectrolysis process, two conventional DC current sources 6,7, and fourswitches SW1-SW4.

The water 8 in this example may include a catalyst such as KOH, as isconventional, although the increased efficiency of the electrolysisprocess of the invention makes it possible to use ordinary tap water orwater from rivers and lakes without adding additional catalysts.

When switches SW1 and SW4 are closed and switches SW2 and SW3 are open,current flows from the positive electrode of power source 6 throughswitch SW1 to conductor 4, and then is carried by ions in the water 8 toconductor 5, switch SW4, and the negative electrode of power source 7.On the other hand, when switches SW2 and SW3 are closed and switches SW1and SW4 are open, current flows from the positive electrode of source 7through switch SW3 into conductor 4, and then is carried by ions in thewater to conductor 5, through switch SW2, to the negative terminal ofpower source 6.

It will be appreciated that there may be a delay between opening ofswitch pairs SW1, SW4 and closure of switch pairs SW2,SW3, althoughsimultaneous switching is preferred. In addition, the power sources andswitching circuitry is not limited to the illustrated batteries andswitches, but rather may include any power sources and switchingcircuitry capable of effecting reversal of currents within theindividual electrodes, including solid state switching circuitry andrectified AC power sources. The illustrated diodes 14 and 15 are notessential, and may be omitted or replaced by appropriate voltageregulation, filtering, or other circuit elements.

The ionic current passing through the water from conductor 4 toconductor 5 causes disassociation of hydrogen from oxygen in the wateraccording to the well-known process of electrolysis. Optionally, theoxygen (O₂) produced in the process may be trapped by a membrane 10encircling conductor 4 for collection through an outlet 11 and storagetank 12, while hydrogen (H₂) is collected via an outlet 13.

Variations in the direction of current passing through the watersubjects the individual water molecules to shearing as well as tensileforces that expedite disassociation. In addition, different types ofmicroorganisms are known to be sensitive to specific frequencies ofelectrical current, and therefore switching of the applied conventionalcurrents at an appropriate frequency can have the effect of purifyingthe water remaining in the tank.

FIG. 5 shows the electrical currents present at various places in theapparatus of FIG. 4. Timing of the switches may be controlled by a clockpulse illustrated in FIG. 4(a). FIGS. 4(b) to 4(e) show the currentsthrough switches SW1-SW4, respectively, while FIGS. 2(f) and 2(g) showthe respective voltages at terminals E1 and E2 between switches SW1,SW4and conductors 4,5.

FIG. 6 shows a variation of the electrolytic hydrogen generator of FIG.4, in which the electrodes E1 and E2 are in the form of coils 16,17.According to the well-known right hand rule, a magnetic field isgenerated in the coils 16,17 having a direction corresponding to thedirection of current input to the coils. These fields shift position asthey follow the incoming and reversing currents, creating a magneticvortex that further accelerates disassociation of the water molecules.As illustrated in FIG. 6, only hydrogen (H₂) is collected, although ofcourse oxygen may also be collected as necessary, for example by“bagging” one of both of the electrodes 16,17 in a membrane 10, in themanner illustrated in FIG. 4, or the electrodes may otherwise beseparated by a porous barrier to prevent arcing and trap products of theanodic reaction. Alternatively, the coils 16′,17′ may be coaxiallyarranged, as illustrated in FIG. 7, so that the net magnetic fields willcancel out, even though the instantaneous magnetic fields will stillchange.

It will be appreciated that the magnetic fields generated in theembodiments of FIGS. 6 and 7 have advantages apart from the advantagesresulting from reversal of the currents in the electrodes, and thereforethe apparatus of this is embodiment is not intended to be limited tomulti-directional current generation. Instead, it is within the scope ofthe invention to apply DC, pulsed DC, reversing polarity, and ACvoltages, as well as various multi-directional currents, to the coiledelectrodes, and to cause the magnetic fields to synchronously ornon-synchronously reverse polarities and/or directions, with the fieldseither reinforcing each other or cancelling out.

The magnetic fields generated by the coaxial coil electrolytic cellapparatus of FIG. 7 are capable of generating a substantial gas floweven when the medium between the coils 16′,17′ is ordinary tap ordistilled water, at coil spacings of between 0.005 and 0.500 inches, andpreferably between 0.050 and 0.200 inches. When a catalyst such aspotassium hydroxide (KOH) is added to the water, the spacing between thetwo coils 16′,17′ may be between 0.032 and 6.000 inches, with thepreferred spacing still being between 0.050 and 0.200 inches. Inaddition, the gap or spacing between adjacent coils 16′,17′ of eachelectrode may be between 0.001 and 0.500 inches, with a preferred gap of0.032 to 0.100 inches.

As in the non-coiled embodiments, the electrolytic reaction rate may beincreased still further by applying light to the apparatus, so that theenergy of the photons adds to the energy supplied by the electric fieldsbetween the electrodes and the magnetic fields within the electrodes.Either or both of the electrodes may be enclosed within a membrane bag,sack, or tubing, as also discussed above, and currents and/or fields mayfurther be arranged to kill microorganisms.

FIG. 8 illustrates a variation of the switching system illustrated inFIG. 4, in which a single battery or cell is used to supply electricityto the two electrodes E1 and E2. In this system, closed switches SW5 andSW7 cause current in electrodes E1 and E2 to flow in a first directionwhen switches SW6 and SW8 are open, while closed switches SW6 and SW8and correspondingly open switches SW5 and SW7 cause current to reverseand flow in an opposite direction. The reversal affects the shearing andtensile force separation of the water molecules in the manner earlierdescribed with respect to FIG. 3.

FIG. 9 illustrates a variation of the system of FIG. 7 in which ACcurrent is applied to the at least one of the electrodes, and thedirection of the AC current is reversed by alternately opening andclosing the switches SW1,SW4 and SW2,SW3.

FIG. 10 illustrates a lighting system in which the electrolyte isreplaced by a material 20 that emits light when excited by a reversingcurrent generated by alternately opening and closing the switchesSW1,SW4 and SW2,SW3.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the multidirectionalcurrent generating apparatus of FIGS. 4-10 may also be connectedtogether in various combinations. For example, FIG. 11 illustrates twoelectrolytic cells 22 and 23, each corresponding to the cell illustratedin FIG. 8, connected in parallel. FIG. 12 illustrates the same twoelectrolytic cells connected in series. In each case the current isreversed by alternately opening and closing the switches SW1,SW4 andSW2,SW3.

FIG. 13 illustrates an apparatus corresponding to that of FIG. 4, butwith additional polarity reversal of the two electrodes 4,5. In theapparatus of FIG. 13, switches SW5 to SW8 effect current reversal withinthe electrodes to generate a multidirectional current in the currentcarrying medium 8, illustrated as water, while switches SW1 to SW4reverse the polarity of electrode 4 and switches SW9 to SW12 reverse thepolarity of electrode 5. A corresponding timing diagram is illustratedin FIGS. 14(a) to 14(o).

FIG. 15 shows a charging circuit for an electrolytic battery 25, whichmay be a nickel metal hydride battery of the type described in U.S. Pat.No. 6,413,670, but which includes a current reversal circuit of the typeillustrated in FIG. 4 for reversing the direction of currents in thepositive electrodes 26 and the negative electrodes 27. The illustratedcurrent reversal prevents asymmetric accumulation of ions on theelectrodes, and therefore reduces wear caused by excessive heating,while the multi-directional current in the electrolyte reduces buildupof electrolytic reactants on the terminals. In addition, in the case ofa nickel metal hydride battery, the current reversal facilitatesabsorption of hydrogen by the nickel material.

FIG. 16 illustrates an alternate switching circuit for batteries of thetype illustrated in FIG. 15, with the electrodes 28-30 connected inseries.

Operation of the battery can be further improved by adding a currentreversing discharge circuit to the current reversing charging circuit toprevent excess wear due to asymmetric discharge currents. As illustratedin FIG. 17, discharge of a battery 32 is synchronized to the phase of amotor 33 by means of a synchronizer control 34 and motor commutatingswitches SWA to SWD. In this embodiment, switches SW1 to SW4 operate inthe same manner as the corresponding switches of the water electrolysissystem or hydrogen generator illustrated in FIG. 4. A timing diagram forthe synchronized charge and discharge of the battery of FIG. 17 isincluded in FIGS. 18(a) to 18(j).

It will be appreciated that the principles of the invention may beapplied to a variety of different types of batteries, including hydrogenbatteries as well as the illustrated nickel metal hydride battery, andthe invention is not to be limited to a particular type of battery.

FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate application of the principles of theinvention to an electromagnetic device such as an electromagneticprojectile launcher 40 (FIG. 19) or a piston driver 50 (FIG. 20). Ineach of these devices, two electrodes 41 and 42 are arranged coaxiallyand oppositely wound to generate a magnetic flux in a common direction.The reversing DC currents are supplied to the coils by a battery 43 ofthe type illustrated in FIG. 15 through switches SW1 to SW4, with oxygenand hydrogen being generated by electrolysis and separated by a membrane44. The oxygen (O₂) and hydrogen (H₂) are discharged via respectiveoutlets 45 and 46 to a fuel cell 47 which generates electricity for usein charging the battery 43 through charging circuit 48 when the devicesare in a standby state, and for driving the projectile (PROJECTILE)shown in FIG. 19 or piston (50) shown in FIG. 20 when the devices areactive.

FIG. 21 shows details of a cold cathode light 52 having electrodes 53-56alternately supplied with a high voltage AC current through switches SW1to SW4. In this application, the current in the lighting medium (GAS)switches direction because it alternately flows between electrode pairs53,55 and 54,56 rather than because of current reversals within theelectrodes.

FIG. 22 shows a plasma generator having a switching circuit identical tothat shown in FIG. 4, but in which the current carrying medium is a gas,the current reversals in the electrodes 58 and 59 generating amultidirectional current in the gas that increases the rate anduniformity of plasma generation.

In addition to the numerous different applications described above, theconfiguration and number of the electrodes may be varied in a variety ofways without departing from the scope of the invention. For example,more than two electrodes may be included, such as the three electrodes60-62 shown in FIG. 23, or the electrodes may be interleaved asillustrated in FIGS. 24 and 25. FIG. 25 shows the additional feature ofan external light source 64 for further increasing the rate of gasproduction, as described in US Patent Published Patent Application No.2002/0060161 (entitled Photo-Assisted Electrolysis) in an electrolysiscell 65 that can be used as part of, or to enhance, a regenerative solarelectricity generating system, and that uses planar coiled electrodes 66and 67 arranged in a jelly roll configuration. FIG. 26 illustrates analternate gas separation system in a multiple electrode electrolysiscell corresponding to the one illustrated in the above cited copendingpatent application, and that uses multiple membranes 68 housing orbagging alternate electrodes.

The principles of the invention may also be applied to variouscapacitive systems, as illustrated in FIGS. 29-37, by using a materialor structure 70 that permits passage of ions as a dielectric separatorbetween the electrodes E1,E2 of the capacitor. For example, asillustrated in FIGS. 29 and 30, the direction of currents between thetwo electrodes E1,E2 of a single capacitor, or the respective electrodesE1,E2 of multiple capacitors connected in series (FIG. 29) or parallel(FIG. 30), may be reversed using four or more switches SW1-SW8 in thesame manner as described above in connection with FIG. 4. Bysymmetrically charging and discharging the capacitors, asymmetric heatbuild-up in the electrodes is prevented, improving performance andextending the life of the capacitors.

The capacitors to which the principles of the invention are applied maytake, of course, a variety of forms, and are not limited to a particularelectrode geometric or specific electrode or dielectric materials. FIG.31, for example, shows a jelly roll capacitor configuration similar tothe jelly roll configuration of the electrodes in the electrolytic cellof FIG. 25.

As especially advantageous application of the principles of theinvention to capacitive systems is the thrust module illustrated inFIGS. 32 and 33, which improves upon the thrust module described in U.S.Pat. No. 6,317,310 by varying the direction of currents applied to highvoltage electrode plate 72, thereby enabling the thrust direction to bevaried. In this configuration, the negative electrode 74 has switchterminals at each end, in a manner similar to the other embodiments ofthe invention, but the positive electrodes have additional switchterminals SW1-SW8 so as to enable the direction of current in thedielectric 76 to not only be reversed, but also to change angularposition and thereby the thrust angle, depending on which pairs ofswitches are operated.

FIG. 34 illustrates a variation of the thrust module of FIGS. 32 and 33,in which current is supplied by a high voltage source 84 to electrodes80 and 81, which coaxially surround dielectric material 83, throughcurrent-direction reversing switches SW1-SW4, and the resulting EMFpulses in electrodes 80 and 81 are captured by a coil 85 to produce avoltage when the current changes direction, thereby generating magneticfields to create a thrust force.

Capacitors or capacitor circuits of the type illustrated in FIGS. 29-33may also be used in a variety of other capacitor circuits, such as theones illustrated in FIGS. 35-37. FIG. 35 shows an RLC circuit thatcharges when the direction of current is changed using switches SW1 andSW4, while FIG. 36 shows a tuner circuit for a transmitter in which thecurrent change amplifies the transmitted signal on both the plus andminus sides of the circuit, and FIG. 37 shows an alternative capacitorconstruction and circuit in which the capacitance is controlled by theadjusted electrolyte 90 in which the capacitor electrodes 91,92 areimmersed.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in any of theabove-described embodiments and implementations of the invention, boththe manner in which the current is caused to alternate direction in theelectrodes, and the timing and magnitude of the EMF pulses, can bevaried according to the principles of the invention. For example, FIGS.27(a)-27(f) are timing diagrams of a variation of the preferredswitching system in which opening and closing of switches SW1 and SW4 isdelayed relative to closing and opening of switches SW2 and SW3. On theother hand, FIG. 28 illustrates a variation of the apparatus illustratedin FIG. 3, in which center taps and switches SW19 and SW20 are added toenable manipulation or softening of the EMF pulses in the electrodes.

In addition to the illustrated applications, other potentialapplications of the principles of the invention are as follows:

The electrolytic cell illustrated in FIG. 4 or an analogous switchedsemiconductor device could also be used as a type of computing device inwhich sensors monitor the direction of current flow. Instead of usingBoolean logic, the computer would use the current flow sensors to sensedirections, with zero current to 0, and different current directions to+1, +2, +3, and so forth. In addition, the transistors that change thedirection of the current may be part of a ladder logic equation and forsetting the timing and logic expression, for example by performing aflip flop function timed with current flow.

Another possible application is to use the currents to reduceradioactive waste of spent nuclear fuel by attaching the electron orbitsof spent fuel in a multi-dimensional oscillating electric field, or apolarity reversing multi-dimensional electric field.

It will be appreciated that one can build an electromagnetic generatorthat will produce multi-directional currents and corresponding voltages,rather than converting the currents or voltages from another DC or ACvoltage. Also, mechanical cam switching can create multi-directionalcurrents and corresponding voltages, and one can similarly build motorthat will run on new the voltages.

Finally, yet another possible application of the invention is to enhancedehydration of a porous material using electro-osmosis as described inU.S. Pat. Nos. 6,117,295 and 6,372,109.

Having thus described a preferred embodiment of the invention insufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to make and use theinvention, it will nevertheless be appreciated that numerous variationsand modifications of the illustrated embodiment may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended that theinvention not be limited by the above description or accompanyingdrawings, but that it be defined solely in accordance with the appendedclaims.

1. Apparatus for generating a multi-directional electric current,comprising: at least two pairs of electrodes; a current carrying mediumbetween respective electrodes in each of said pairs of said electrodes;and circuitry connected between at least one power supply and at leastone end of each of said electrodes for alternately supplying a currentto respective said ends of said electrodes in order to cause acyclically reversing electrical current to flow within said electrodesbetween said ends, wherein said pairs of electrodes and the currentcarrying media between said electrodes form electro-chemical cells, andwherein said electro-chemical cells are connected in series. 2.Apparatus for generating a multi-directional electric current as claimedin claim 1, wherein said circuitry includes respective switchesconnected between a terminal of the power supply and each end of said atleast one electrode, and wherein said switches are arranged to bealternately opened and closed.
 3. Apparatus for generating amulti-directional electric current as claimed in claim 2, wherein saidswitches are selected from the group consisting of electromechanical,solid state, and photonic switches.
 4. Apparatus for generating amulti-directional electric current as claimed in claim 1, wherein saidat least one power supply is a direct current power supply and apolarity of said electrodes is constant.
 5. Apparatus for generating amulti-directional electric current as claimed in claim 1, wherein saidat least one power supply is a direct current power supply and apolarity of said electrodes is periodically reversed.
 6. Apparatus forgenerating a multi-directional electric current as claimed in claim 5,wherein said circuitry includes respective first switches connectedbetween a terminal of said power supply and each end of said at leastone of said electrodes, said first switches being arranged to bealternately opened and closed, and further comprising pairs of switchesconnected between said first switches and opposite polarity terminals ofsaid power supply.
 7. Apparatus for generating a multi-directionalelectric current as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one powersupply is an alternating current power supply.
 8. Apparatus forgenerating a multi-directional electric current as claimed in claim 7,wherein said circuitry includes a respective switch connected between aterminal of said power supply and each of said ends, wherein saidswitches are arranged to be alternately opened and closed.
 9. Apparatusfor generating a multi-directional electric current as claimed in claim1, wherein said medium is an electrolyte.
 10. Apparatus for generating amulti-directional electric current, comprising: at least two pairs ofelectrodes; a current carrying medium between respective electrodes ineach of said pairs of said electrodes; and circuitry connected betweenat least one power supply and at least one end of each of saidelectrodes for alternately supplying a current to respective said endsof said electrodes in order to cause a cyclically reversing electricalcurrent to flow within said electrodes between said ends, wherein saidpairs of electrodes and the current carrying media between saidelectrodes form electro-chemical cells, and wherein saidelectro-chemical cells are connected in parallel.
 11. Apparatus forgenerating a multi-directional electric current as claimed in claim 10,wherein said circuitry includes respective switches connected between aterminal of the power supply and each end of said at least oneelectrode, and wherein said switches are arranged to be alternatelyopened and closed.
 12. Apparatus for generating a multi-directionalelectric current as claimed in claim 11, wherein said switches areselected from the group consisting of electromechanical, solid state,and photonic switches.
 13. Apparatus for generating a multi-directionalelectric current as claimed in claim 11, wherein said at least one powersupply is a direct current power supply and a polarity of saidelectrodes is constant.
 13. Apparatus for generating a multi-directionalelectric current as claimed in claim 11, wherein said at least one powersupply is a direct current power supply and a polarity of saidelectrodes is periodically reversed.
 14. Apparatus for generating amulti-directional electric current as claimed in claim 13, wherein saidcircuitry includes respective first switches connected between aterminal of said power supply and each end of said at least one of saidelectrodes, said first switches being arranged to be alternately openedand closed, and further comprising pairs of switches connected betweensaid first switches and opposite polarity terminals of said powersupply.
 15. Apparatus for generating a multi-directional electriccurrent as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one power supply isan alternating current power supply.
 16. Apparatus for generating amulti-directional electric current as claimed in claim 15, wherein saidcircuitry includes a respective switch connected between a terminal ofsaid power supply and each of said ends, wherein said switches arearranged to be alternately opened and closed.
 17. Apparatus forgenerating a multi-directional electric current as claimed in claim 1,wherein said medium is an electrolyte.
 18. Apparatus for generating amulti-directional electric current comprising: at least two electrodes;a current carrying medium between the electrodes; at least one powersupply; a circuit connecting said at least one power supply and said atleast two electrodes, said circuit including: means for reversingcurrent flow in at least one of said at least two electrodes from afirst current flow direction to a second current flow direction and froma second current flow direction to a first current flow direction byalternately connecting respective ends of said one of said twoelectrodes to a same terminal of said power supply, thereby causingcontinuous changes in a direction of current flowing in said currentcarrying medium.